Separation Anxiety or a Young Hearts Intuition?

I just read an interesting article giving advice to parents on how to work with kids on being ok with being left at activities. Though there were some supportive suggestions, I had issue with the context of the article. I feel like sometimes there is too much societal focus on making sure our kids are ok without us, when we think it is right, rather than identifying that some of that anxiety to leave our side, could be the early demonstrations of following instinct.

I am a mumma of a pretty sensitive little yogini. She is shy when meeting people and in new surroundings, needing to really "suss" out everyone before jumping in.  She is non-discriminatory regarding whether they are family or not, but knows with certainty what the distance from me, or hubby, is to be. It takes a fair bit of consistent time invested to earn her trust, and still that leaves no guarantees. But is that a bad thing? I don't think it necessarily is.

In the ever constant stream of external opinions in parenting (often offered regardless of if requested), I have been told that I need to "work on this with her to fix it". I have also been told that it's "because she's a girl" (one of my personal pet peeves).

The thing is...I don't believe anything needs to be fixed.  I know the importance of time spent not only with other children, but other adults and create opportunity for those interactions often. I also, however, think it is important to celebrate and encourage her sense of intuition. If she does not feel safe being left with someone, I think it is important to develop that sense too. It may not be completely accurate yet, but how can we as adults know how to trust our intuition without practice? There are people I have met, and regardless of what my friends or family think of them, I do not feel at ease in their company. As a woman, I am told to trust that intuition in order to stay safe...why is the same not true for our little yogini's? Why can we not take some of their lead, even if it is inconvenient or embarrassing during the situation, and give them permission to protect themselves from a situation in which they do not feel is safe?

Furthermore, can you imagine the empowering, potentially long-term effects, of you teaching them to trust that instinct!?! They may learn that it is important to listen to and follow their heart ~ even if it is not telling them what others say it "should"! hmmm...again, doesn't sound like a particularly bad thing to me!

Photo Props: Peace.Love.Paint. via Flickr